3 programs, side by side

Rows marked with a dot are where these differ. Everything is each university’s own published wording; the “your average” row is yours, calculated the way each program does it.

	Waterloo Civil Engineering (Co-op Only) OUAC WE Remove	Queen's Physical and Chemical Sciences Pathway OUAC QSP Remove	Waterloo Physical Sciences (Regular/Co-op) OUAC WPS Remove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	83–90%“Mid- to High 80s”	80–87%“Low to Mid-80s”	80–83%“Low 80s”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U SCH4U SPH4U	ENG4U MCV4U	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	—	one of SCH4U, SPH4U	two of MDM4U, SBI4U, SCH4U, SES4U, SPH4U
Prerequisitesas published	English (ENG4U – min. 70%) Advanced Functions (min. 70%) Calculus and Vectors (min. 70%) Chemistry (min. 70%) Physics (min. 70%)	ENG4U MCV4U 1 of SCH4U or SPH4U 3 additional 4 U/M courses	English (ENG4U – min. 70%) Advanced Functions (min. 70%) Calculus and Vectors (min. 70%) Any two of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Mathematics of Data Management, or Physics
More than marks?supplementary application	Yes NEW: All Engineering program applications require an online video interview. You will receive more information after you apply. An Admission Information Form is also required. We will send you instructions when we acknowledge your application. Also considered: Involvement in extracurricular activities in school or community, evidence of interest in engineering and strong performance in mathematics, science or engineering-related competitions. Usually closes before January 15	Marks only	Marks only
Co-op	Available	Available	Available
Degree	—	—	—
First-year intakewhere published	115	—	250
What you study	BuildingCivil Engineering Environmental StudiesGeomatics Engineering	Astronomy Biotechnology Chemistry Mathematics	Astronomy Chemistry Geology Materials Science
What it is	You study how to design and build infrastructure like roads, bridges, buildings, and water systems, along with surveying land and managing environmental impacts. This co-op stream requires you to complete mandatory work terms alongside your coursework, alternating between classroom and real engineering jobs. It suits students who want practical hands-on experience while earning, and who are comfortable balancing study and full-time work over five years instead of four.	This pathway lets you study the fundamental sciences — physics, chemistry, astronomy, mathematics, and biology — together rather than committing to a single discipline right away. You'll take core courses across all these fields in your first year, then gradually specialize based on your interests. The included co-op option means you'll do work terms in research labs or industry, giving you hands-on experience alongside your coursework.	Physical Sciences is a broad first-year program where you study foundational chemistry, physics, mathematics, and biology before choosing a specialization in second year. The co-op option means you alternate between study and paid work terms at companies or research labs, giving you real experience in your field. This program suits students who are strong in math and science but not yet certain which specific physical science direction — from astronomy to polymer chemistry — they want to pursue.
The door tomajors you reach through it	Applied to directly	chemistry physics	chemistry earth science physics
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them	None published by average	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them
Source	University of Waterloo on OUInfo	Queen's University on OUInfo	University of Waterloo on OUInfo

Also compare with

Same subject area and a similar published range, at a campus you have not got in the table yet.

Ranges are what each university publishes, not guaranteed cutoffs, and limited-enrolment programs often admit above them. Confirm anything you are about to act on with the university; each column links to its source.